The Boulevardier Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a Negroni and a Boulevardier? ›

At heart, the Boulevardier is just whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari; it's basically a Negroni with whiskey instead of gin.

Most recipes utilize bourbon, though some people prefer the spicier quality of rye whiskey. Both have their charms, but today you're most likely to find the Boulevardier made with bourbon.

In a shaker with ice, combine bourbon, Aperol and vermouth. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass. Garnish with an orange peel and serve.

The Boulevardier is a close cousin of the Negroni. Which sits alongside the Old Fashioned in the most popular short but strong drinks. Swapping gin for scotch, this co*cktail is just as warming and rich as an Old Fashioned, but with a slightly bitter edge.

Drink Order: Negroni

You have a bold and adventurous side. This co*cktail – made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth – is currently trending on the co*cktail scene. Its unique blend of flavors showcase your open-mindedness and willingness to explore new trends and experiences.

The choice purely depends on your personal taste preferences. Aperol has a sweet flavor whereas Campari has a strong and bitter taste. The Negroni is Italy's most other famed co*cktail and favorite for an afternoon aperitivo. The ingredients you need for a Negroni are equal parts gin of choice, vermouth, and Campari.

Vermouths like Martini are fortified wines that oxidise quickly so once opened, store in the fridge and drink within a maximum of three months but ideally finish it within the first month. After that point, there will be no harmful effects to you, but the taste will be pretty nasty.

The Boulevardier can also be served up, depending on preference, but you should always garnish it with a slice of lemon peel. And if you're already digging Boulevardiers on a regular basis, go a step further.

Taken one way, it's a Manhattan with a portion of Campari swapped in for the regular few drops of Angostura or other aromatic bitters. Seen the other way, it's a Negroni with whiskey in place of the gin.

The vermouth and Campari make it a natural choice as an aperitif and has a subtle combination of flavor that is very pleasant. A host could easily offer the option of both the Negroni and Boulevardier at any dinner party and please the taste of both gin- and whiskey-loving guests.

What is the best ratio for Boulevardier? ›

Traditionally, the Boulevardier is 1 ounce (1 part) each Campari, sweet red vermouth, and rye whiskey or bourbon, but many versions use 1.25 to 1.5 ounces (1.25 to 1.5 parts) of the latter, and I go even further to 2. (Bourbon is generally more mellow and sweet; rye, slightly more spicy and dry.)

However, the perfect Negroni should only ever be made on a red, sweet, Italian-style vermouth, preferably with some 'weight' to it and enough spice to hold up against the Campari. We recommend small batch vermouths such as Cinzano 1757 or Cinzano Rosso.

The classic Boulevardier is the perfect pre/during/after-dinner co*cktail. Its the kind of co*cktail that is not only delicious, but will garner a nod of approval from your bartender.

The first boulevardiers got their name from the thoroughfares they frequented: the typically straight and geometrically precise boulevards of Paris.

Use Rich Simple Syrup

The sugar cube is one Old Fashioned tradition that can definitely be skipped. While many recipes call for it, it offers no advantage over using a rich simple syrup and has several disadvantages. Most obviously, you have to find and buy sugar cubes and a muddler.

Is a Negroni stronger than an Old Fashioned? Whisky and gin both have a similar ABV of around 40% but an Old Fashioned has a higher percentage of whisky compared to the amount of gin in a Negroni. Campari and sweet vermouth are slightly weaker, sitting at around 20-25%.

There's as many similarities between a Negroni and Vieux Carré co*cktail as there are differences. Both are sweet yet bitter. Each is smooth and elegant. But the Vieux Carré also brings a hint of smokiness and complexity.

However, the Negroni is neither a man's drink nor a woman's drink; it's an everyone drink.

You probably know the basics: the Negroni is an Italian apéritif made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. It's usually garnished with a twisted orange peel and served on the rocks. The Negroni is a mark of sophistication, beloved across the board for its smooth balance of bitter and sweet flavors.